Dead scuba diver found at Lake Mead ID’d as Utah man

Map of Lake Mead National Recreation Area

A man who died last week while scuba diving in Lake Mead has been identified as diving instructor from Utah.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area officials said Xavier Fleuranceau, 48, was diving just before 1 p.m. Sept. 29 with a group at depths around 350 feet when he ran out of air. His dive partner shared a spare tank as the two began to ascend. At some point, Fleuranceau separated from the safety line and performed a free ascent without gas. The other divers ascended using normal decompression without incident.

Park officials responded to reports of a diver floating in the water, and paramedics were unable to revive Fleuranceau, whose hometown was not disclosed. He was pronounced him dead at 1:46 p.m.

National Park Service rangers are handling the investigation, park officials said, and the dive equipment is being inspected. The Clark County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy.